RCM exam fees: what each level costs and what else to budget

Updated 2026-11-14

Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) exam fees rise with each level. A Preparatory exam costs $75 in Canada. A Level 10 exam costs $510. This page lists the fee for every level, the written exams, and the other costs a family can plan for.

These are the fees on RCM’s official fee pages on November 14, 2026. Neither page states a year. Fees change, so confirm on RCM’s page before you register.

Practical exam fees

A practical exam is the one where the student plays or sings for an examiner. RCM lists one fee for each level.

Level	Canada	United States
Preparatory	$75	$68 US
Level 1	$118	$110 US
Level 2	$144	$135 US
Level 3	$175	$164 US
Level 4	$186	$174 US
Level 5	$210	$196 US
Level 6	$226	$211 US
Level 7	$240	$224 US
Level 8	$302	$282 US
Level 9	$322	$310 US
Level 10	$510	$495 US
ARCT Performer	$850	$825 US

In piano, Preparatory A and Preparatory B are two exams. Each one costs the Preparatory fee.

Written exam fees

Written exams start at Level 5. Read RCM theory requirements by level to see which ones a certificate needs.

Exam	Canada	United States
Level 5 Theory	$149	$139 US
Level 6 Theory	$159	$149 US
Level 7 Theory	$170	$159 US
Level 8 Theory	$187	$175 US
Level 9 Harmony	$214	$206 US
Level 9 History	$214	$206 US
Level 10 Harmony and Counterpoint	$241	$232 US
Level 10 History	$241	$232 US

RCM also sells the Level 5 to 8 theory exams online.

Online option	Fee
Online Theory Exam Only, Level 5	$149
Online Theory Exam Only, Level 6	$159
Online Theory Exam Only, Level 7	$170
Online Theory Exam Only, Level 8	$187
Online Theory Study Guide with Exam, any level	$225

What each certificate costs from Level 5

From Level 5, a full certificate needs the practical exam and written exams. This table adds them up.

Certificate	Exams counted	Canada	United States
Level 5	Practical and Level 5 Theory	$359	$335 US
Level 6	Practical and Level 6 Theory	$385	$360 US
Level 7	Practical and Level 7 Theory	$410	$383 US
Level 8	Practical and Level 8 Theory	$489	$457 US
Level 9	Practical, Level 9 Harmony, and Level 9 History	$750	$722 US
Level 10	Practical, Level 10 Harmony and Counterpoint, and Level 10 History	$992	$959 US

The Level 9 row assumes Level 8 Theory is done. The Level 10 row assumes the Level 9 written exams are done.

Other RCM fees

These fees come from the Canadian fee page.

Service	Fee
Late application	$52
Rescheduling	$52
Substitute piece request	$32
Practice theory paper assessment	$77
Re-evaluation of a theory paper	$77
Re-calculation of a theory paper	$23
Transcript	$42
Replacement certificate	$52

RCM’s policy says moving an in-person exam is free before the registration deadline. See RCM exam dates and deadlines.

What else to budget

The exam fee is one part of the cost.

Books. Piano students use a repertoire book, an etudes book, and books for technical tests and ear tests. On RCM’s shop, the Level 8 piano repertoire book lists at $26.95, and the Level 2 set of four books lists at $71.80. Read RCM piano books explained.

A pianist. Violin and voice students bring their own pianist to the exam. The RCM fee does not cover the pianist. Ask for the rate early, and ask whether it includes a rehearsal.

Theory lessons. From Level 5, a student needs time with a teacher for theory, or the online study guide.

Travel. In-person exams take place at exam centers. A family outside a city may have a drive and a meal to plan for.

Ways to keep the cost down

Skip a level. RCM does not require every exam. A student can take an exam every second level and learn the skills in between.
Borrow books. Ask the teacher, older students, and the public library.
Register on time. The late application fee is $52.
Move an exam early. A move before the registration deadline is free for in-person exams.
Pick the theory option that fits. The online exam alone costs less than the online study guide with the exam. A student who learns theory with a teacher may not need the guide.

Not sure exams are worth the cost? Read should my child take music exams.